Bison are massive creatures that certainly look ornery. Sometimes, they act ornery too. Lately their nasty antics have been getting lots of publicity. One actually tossed a man way up in the air in Yellowstone National Park. He was hurt in the bizarre encounter but miraculously survived to tell the tale. Now, thanks to a viral video, we see that another bison taking his anger out on a hapless tourist's tires.
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Evidently no one was injured this time. On one hand, it's kind of wacky and absurd. On the other hand, it's really scary and almost surreal to see these huge beasts and their unbridled power. Best thing is to steer very clear of them and observe them from a distance.
"Pop Goes the Tire"
The shocking video, captioned "Pop Goes the Tire,' shows vehicles traveling slowly down a wooded road in the storied park. The bison comes up to one of the vehicles and seems to head-butt the front passenger side tire. It then ambles away without further incident. The animal makes its way in back of the first vehicle and in front of the one behind it and is then gone. The occupants of those cars must have heaved a big sign of relief.
Follow These Simple Safety Rules Around Bison
Of course, one of the most thrilling experiences for visitors to Yellowstone National Park is glimpsing the critters who live there. The majestic bison are probably high on any tourist's list of animals they want to observe. However, doing so safely is key. The National Park Service has some helpful pointers for staying unharmed if you encounter one.
The advice the National Park Service offers on Instagram goes like this. "If you see bison on the road, be patient and stay in your vehicle. Wait for them to move, and do not honk your horn. That will only make them go slower. A bison's level of aggressiveness, both physical and passive, is legendary."
Getting anywhere near these mammoth animals is definitely not wise. The National Park Service suggests using a telephoto lens to take pics "from more than 25 yards away."
